Loveland, Ohio – In a June memo to City Council, City Manager Dave Kennedy said that the COVID-19 pandemic has not dampened the need for a municipal parking garage in Historic Downtown. Because of budget concerns and a possible unknown income shortfall Kennedy had previously put on hold the engineering expenditure for the project and the engineering and design of the downtown parking facility was temporarily suspended.
Kennedy’s June report stated, “Meanwhile, parking needs in the city continued to expand and availability of potential funding sources for the project came to the city’s attention.” Kennedy further explained, “With the aforementioned, it was time to request the engineering and design team for the project, to prepare a final cost estimate, including civil engineering.”
The total cost is estimated to be $5,663,700. (See estimate below)
Kennedy told Loveland Magazine Wednesday that the public will pay to park in the garage.
Below is an excerpt from the report concerning the design elements:
Design
The design of the parking facility is simplistic by nature and includes a total of 279 parking spaces.
For reference this will equal more than two times the number of spaces currently at the Linda J. Cox Trailside Parking Area.
The facility includes two levels, with 138 spaces on the ground floor and 141 spaces on the 2nd level.
Access to the ground level will be both from Harrison Avenue/First Street and from State Route 48. Access to the 2nd level will be via an exterior ramp along the side of the Works’ railcar.
The project design does not include an internal ramp to the 2nd level, which would both reduce ground level spaces and add to the cost of the project.
Access from State Route 48 will include sidewalks to allow for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to enter into the downtown district.
Kennedy said that specific design and material selections for the exterior facing of the facility have not been decided and that input from the public on this matter is important.
Kennedy said, “Specific design and material selections for the exterior facing of the facility have not been decided.”“Although preliminary designs of the parking facility have been completed, the following aerials give a good perspective on how the project fits within the downtown district and how access from State Route 48 will be configured. Note that figure number 1, does not include the razing of the structure at 124 Railroad Avenue, which will serve as the access point into the facility from within the downtown district. This area is currently serving as temporary parking, until the new parking facility project commences.” – Source: June memo to City Council
Financing
Kennedy told the Council, “No doubt that this project will include city bond financing, it is a priority among city staff to reduce the local financing by securing other funding sources.” One source mentioned by Kennedy is the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program, which is administered by the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC). “The pre-application request is for $250,000, and is based heavily on jobs, in terms of retention and creation that the project could support,” said the City Manager.
Kennedy also said that the City may be eligible for Adjustment Assistance Programs including CARES Act Funding. The program is federally funded and can fund up to 50% of a project’s total cost. City staff is preparing a grant application for the funding.
Additionally, in 2019, the city submitted the parking facility project for funding consideration in the State of Ohio Biennial Capital Budget. Kennedy told Council, “This budget, which has not been adopted by the state, will undoubtedly be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so funding has not yet been committed.”
Public Hearings
Kennedy said in his report that the next step is to prepare for public meetings. “A public meeting will likely be scheduled for an outdoor venue and announced later this summer,” he said.
Additional points made by the City Manager
The project will add much needed parking to the downtown district
The project will increase public parking in the downtown district by 46%
The project is supported by the majority of the city’s downtown businesses
The project will include a new access point into the downtown district via State Route 48 thus better disbursing traffic flow
The two-level design will not dominate other buildings within the district
Public input on the facilities exterior features and other components will be sought and utilized in the project’s final design
The additional purchase and demolition of the structure at 124 Railroad Avenue will improve ingress and egress into the facility. Attachments: Parking Facility Cost Estimate
City adds 2 new parking locations
The land where the parking garage will be located is being turned into about 50 temporary parking spaces. Kennedy said Wednesday, “We’re not finished yet, but we think it will be close to another 50 spaces.”
Another new parking area that is complete is where the McCoy house next to City Hall used to stand at 124 Railroad Avenue. The City recently demolished the house in preparation for the parking garage construction. This spot has 20 spaces.
“We are working hard to add spaces,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy says this temporary parking space at the old McCoy house next to City Hall added 20 spaces.
The 2nd new temporary location for additional parking is where the new parking garage will eventually be constructed. These spaces will have access from First Street near Works Pizzeria.
The 2nd new temporary location for additional parking is where the new garage will eventually be constructed. These spaces will have access from First Street near The Works restaurant and will hold about 50 vehicles.
Hamilton County, Ohio – Jamie Higley, the Administrator of Food Safety Programs at the Ohio Department of Health and Mike Samet the Public Information Officer for Hamilton County Public Health issued the following FDA Advisory this morning.
FDA advises consumers not to use hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem
FDA advises consumers not to use hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem
[6/19/2020] FDA advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. FDA has identified the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:
All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81 percent (v/v) methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent (v/v) methanol. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.
On June 17, 2020, FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the risks associated with methanol poisoning. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these potentially dangerous products from the market. Therefore, FDA recommends consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.
FDA reminds consumers to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
FDA remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers. Additionally, the agency is concerned with false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide prolonged protection such as 24-hours against viruses including COVID-19, since there is no evidence to support these claims.
To date, FDA is not aware of any reports of adverse events associated with these hand sanitizer products. FDA encourages health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of hand sanitizers to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
Loveland, Ohio – Here are the latest COVID 19 stats as reported by the agencies as of 10 AM Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Some data is not present because not all Health Districts report the same data.
Here is the “Key Indicator” graph from the Ohio Department of Health reported on 6-22 *
(Right-Click and open in new tab or window to see a larger view.)
*Current Trends – Above are the current reporting trends for key indicators calculated from data reported to the Ohio Department of Health. These trends are updated daily and are presented by report date.
Cassie Mattia is a reporter/columnist and Assistant Editor of Loveland Magazine. She lives in Historic Downtown Loveland
Loveland, Ohio – Over the past several months’ many citizens across Ohio have experienced the effects of COVID-19 and MANY have stepped up to help out those who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. The former President of St. Columban’s Student Council Paul Laufersweiler and his sister Emily decided they wanted to make a difference by introducing St. Columban’s “Virtual Walk-A-Thon!” Paul will be entering Loveland High School in the Fall and Emily will be a sixth-grade student at St. Columban.
The President of St. Columban’s Student Council Paul Laufersweiler opening donations and notes from St. Columban families who contributed to the Virtual Walk-A-Thon.
Every year St. Columban School partners with the Sisters of Mount Notre Dame to raise money for St. Julie School in Uganda. St. Columban’s Student Council, which is supervised by Chad Drinnen, an 8th-grade teacher at St. Columban, organizes fund-raising events throughout the school year in order to meet their ultimate fundraising goal. These events range from both basketball and volleyball tournaments to bake sales to $1 Out-Of-Uniform days to the largest event, the annual Walk-A-Thon.
Due to COVID-19 the school year was cut short which meant a number of the fundraising events didn’t get to happen including the popular 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
Paul’s mother Stefanie Badders Laufersweiler explained to us just how the idea of the “Virtual-Walk-A-Thon” came about.
“At dinner one night, we were talking about all the cancellations and when Paul said how disappointed he was that they might not make their fundraising goal this year for St. Julie’s, his little sister Emily said, ‘Why can’t we still do the Walk-A-Thon and just walk in our own neighborhoods?’ Paul loved the idea and so did Mr. Drinnen,” Laufersweiler explained, “Families collected and mailed check donations and also paid by Venmo and in the end, they raised $1,000 that St. Julie School will use for school supplies and other items that will create a better learning experience for their students.”
Check out the videos below of the Laufersweiler’s fundraising journey!
Paul introducing the Virtual Walk-A-Thon for St. Columban School!
Paul announcing the Virtual Walk-A-Thon results!
This photo was taken when Paul read a speech last November on Veterans Day
Meet Paul Laufersweiler
Paul just graduated from eighth grade at St. Columban School and will be attending Loveland High School in the Fall. He has already successfully auditioned to be in the marching and symphonic bands. Paul has two sisters, Emily, who will be a sixth-grader at St. Columban, and Amy who will be a Junior at LHS. Amy is also in LHS’s Show Choir.
Paul told us he may want to study science in college, however, he also has taken an interest in the art of communication so he may want to study that as well.
“When I was really little I wanted to be a pizza pilot where I would fly around in a plane and drop-down pizzas to people,” Paul said. We then asked Paul if he would throw the pizzas out of the plane like frisbees and he responded, “Yes, I’ll get a thin crust, real crispy, so they won’t flop around!”
Here at Loveland Magazine, we are so proud of the younger generation for stepping up and making a difference during these difficult and unknown times! If you have a story about an act of kindness that has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic feel free to contact us.
This article provided to Loveland Magazine was edited by David Miller and is by by Eye on Ohio, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Ohio Center for Journalism. Please join their free mailing list as this helps us provide more public service reporting.
In early March, just as Ohioans were learning about the first cases of novel coronavirus in the state, Anna Bondar’s grandfather fell at his Cleveland home.
Luckily, the 92-year old, who lives with dementia, wasn’t injured badly.
The tight-knit family started to discuss the possibility of a nursing home, though they had serious reservations.
Their tough choice was made even more difficult by mounting fears about the coronavirus. In nearly four months, COVID-19 has infected more than 31,191 people statewide and has proven particularly deadly for residents of long-term care facilities in Ohio.
Seventy percent of the reported deaths in Ohio due to COVID-19 complications have been in long-term care facilities, which is among the highest in the country.
Nationally the portion of COVID-19-related deaths in long-term care facilities has hovered just over 40%, though the amount of testing done in nursing homes varies significantly by state.
Every day, families like Bondar’s are making what can feel like an impossible choice – whether to send a loved one to a nursing home where they will receive around-the-clock specialized care but face a greater risk of contracting COVID-19, or to care for that person at home where risk of transmission is lower but providing care can be more challenging.
Even before the pandemic, sorting through the myriad of quality ratings and measures was daunting enough. Then, COVID-19 deaths started to soar.
Now, families and seniors agonize over what could be life or death choice using confusing numbers on infection “hotspots” and without the ability to visit nursing homes to observe how the staff cares for residents – which is the number one recommendation of most advocates.
Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Department of Health
State officials, including Dr. Amy Acton, the former director of the Department of Health, have emphasized that “congregate” settings like nursing homes are at highest risk of infection. Staff, who often travel between facilities, need to be in close contact with residents to provide care. And residents, who are primarily older and have multiple medical conditions, are more susceptible to COVID-19-related complications.
“All of this makes it high risk. At the same time, it’s really necessary for many patients to be there,” said Dr. Steven Schwartz, a geriatric physician at the Cleveland Clinic who travels to nursing homes as part of the Clinic’s Center for Connected Care.
Ohio National Guardmembers will begin testing all staff members and any residents who likely were exposed to COVID-19 in the state’s nursing homes, Gov. Mike DeWine announced May 27. What are being called Congregate Care Unified Response Teams will focus on facilities where confirmed or assumed positive cases are reported in hopes of reducing the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ohio’s nursing homes, which as of May 27 was 5,324 resident cases and more than 1,442 deaths.
Infection rates in Ohio Nursing Homes
Making an educated decision
Last month, state officials began to release the numbers of reported infections and deaths in long-term care facilities, which include nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living centers.
But it’s unclear how much the numbers – which are reported weekly and are also tracked cumulatively – matter for families currently trying to choose a facility.
The state, on its coronavirus website, says the infection and death numbers shouldn’t replace a thoughtful conversation with a nursing facility about infection control practices and that “residents and family members should understand that the presence of COVID-19 at a facility is [in] no way an indicator of a facility that isn’t following proper procedures.”
Yet many in the health care industry say infection information should be considered, along with other factors, when deciding which site to choose.
“If you see a nursing home with a large outbreak, that’s something to worry about. If you see a nursing home with a small outbreak, I’m not sure it means anything but bad luck.”
“If you see a nursing home with a large outbreak, that’s something to worry about. If you see a nursing home with a small outbreak, I’m not sure it means anything but bad luck,” said Dr. James Campbell, department chair of geriatric medicine at MetroHealth.
The infection information provided by the state can be useful, for instance, if a family is choosing between two similar facilities, said Nate Cyrill, a Long Term Care Ombudsman for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.
Since information on the virus changes rapidly, most families still rely on the quality measures that were available before COVID-19, including existing state and federal online guides Cyril said.
One of the commonly-used ranking systems, maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, assigns ratings – from 1 to 5 “stars” – to facilities based on performance on quality measures, staffing and inspections.
The number of “stars” Ohio’s nursing homes received, however, does not appear to have a correlation to the number of infections reported to the state, based on a comparison of the publicly available information. The analysis did not include assisted living facilities.
Cases vs. Star rating
“You want to look for a nursing home that’s four of five stars preferably but even that doesn’t tell you the whole story,” Steven Schwartz said.
There are numerous 1-star rated facilities that have reported few infections, like Whetstone Gardens and Care Center in Columbus, which has reported 9 cases or 8 per 100 residents.
Salem North Healthcare Center
Salem North Healthcare Center in northern Columbiana County had 51 patients test positive for the virus as of May 20, as well as five staff, according to the state. It is rated a 5-star facility, the highest rating from CMS.
It’s one of four 5-star facilities with an infection rate over 50 casesper 100 residents, based on Medicare’s calculation of each facility’s average number of residents. (The rate does not include infections among staff because the number of staff in each facility was not available.)
Since April, the focus on high numbers of reported infections, often referred to as clusters, in long-term care facilities has intensified. In some cases, those numbers are a reflection of the level of testing, said Fred Stratmann, general counsel and chief compliance officer for CommuniCare Health Services. It doesn’t mean all of the residents with a positive test had symptoms of COVID-19. The state infection numbers also don’t show the residents who have recovered from the virus, he said.
CommuniCare, which operates close to 90 health care facilities in seven states has been proactive about testing, Stratmann said. When COVID-19 cases started to appear at the North Salem facility, the company enlisted the state’s “strike team” to proactively test all of the residents. It has since re-tested all of the residents who were initially negative and purchased 3,000 testing kits to supplement what the state could provide.
“We wanted to be certain of the extent of COVID in this center in order to be able to properly treat it and to fight back against it,” Stratmann said. The facility does that by isolating any COVID-19-postive patients in a separate unit with its own dedicated staff and by admitting new residents to an observation unit for 14 days to make sure they have no symptoms of infection, he said.
Restrictions on visits make choices harder
The most effective way to scout out a facility typically is to visit it, preferably unannounced, said Dr. James Campbell, department chair of geriatric medicine at MetroHealth. However, because visitors aren’t permitted in nursing homes right now, the next best thing is to ask detailed questions about care, any COVID-19 cases and infection control measures, he said.
Campbell also suggested turning to hospital staff, who work with nursing homes regularly, for advice. Social workers can place five people in a week, while most individuals face that decision, at most, only a few times in their lives, he said.
Cyrill said his agency can also provide information that can’t be found online for families trying to choose between facilities.
Cyrill said his agency can also provide information that can’t be found online for families trying to choose between facilities.
The agency, along with other similar independent agencies across the state, investigates complaints in long-term care, skilled nursing, group homes and rehabilitation facilities and can share what are called “verified complaints” that aren’t otherwise available publicly.
Most of the complaints investigated in relation to COVID-19, Cyrill said, have been related to visitation or the ability of families to get information on a loved one’s condition.
It’s been harder, though, for Cyrill and his colleagues to investigate complaints with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
It’s been harder, though, for Cyrill and his colleagues to investigate complaints with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Under normal circumstances, an ombudsperson would go to the facility and talk to patients and could do so without announcing the visit in advance. Since visits are restricted for infection control reasons, they have to work through staff to speak to residents or to ask questions, which isn’t optimal. And they aren’t able to make direct observations.
“It makes our job much more challenging,” Cyrill said.
At the North Salem facility, which has had about a dozen new residents admitted or transfered from other facilities, the staff has given “virtual tours” over the phone to family members or prospective residents who were in the hospital, Stratmann said. The company also invested in technology that won’t replace face-to-face visits but enables more family contact and the ability and for staff to help keep residents’ spirits up by making videos of activities, like dancing and singing, to keep them connected with the local community.
In addition, Stratmann said they walk families through the infection control procedures and share techniques they have implemented to improve health outcomes for patients with COVID-19 including, when appropriate:
Treating residents with anticoagulant medications to reduce the risk of blood clots and strokes, which has been a factor in some COVID-19-related fatalities.
Practicing “proning” or positioning residents, while awake, flat on their belly and chest to reduce the buildup of fluid in lung tissue and reduce the risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which has been associated with many COVID-19 fatalities.
The idea of putting their beloved grandfather in a nursing home was gut-wrenching
Choosing home
For Bondar’s family, the idea of putting their beloved grandfather in a nursing home was gut-wrenching, especially as visitation was curtailed to limit the virus’ spread. He speaks Russian, his native language, and would not have been able to communicate well with the staff caring for him.
“It felt like admitting him [to a facility] would be like saying goodbye,” Bondar said. “Like leaving him to die.”
Bondar’s family ultimately decided to care for her grandfather at home, in his Mayfield Heights senior highrise, where they could limit his exposure to the virus.
Before his fall, an aide visited for about eight hours a week. After the Ohio’s “stay at home” order was put in place March 23, Bondar and her mother were able to work from home and pitch in with care.
The advice of the Clinic’s Steven Schwartz led them to a hospice program, which helped the family find additional aides, including one who speaks Russian, as well as a hospital bed for safer sleeping and a wheelchair.
The home care route isn’t the easiest but Bondar said the family feels like they have more contact and control over the quality of care.
The home care route isn’t the easiest but Bondar said the family feels like they have more contact and control over the quality of care.
“We’ll do this as long as we can manage it,” Bondar said.
Anecdotally, it is a choice more families are making: the decision to use home care or even pull family members out of nursing homes out of fear or because they miss them and can’t visit, Steven Schwartz said.
“Sometimes it’s appropriate. But sometimes, even given everything, it may be safer to have your family member there to get stronger and get the necessary care,” said Steven Schwartz. “I would really try to balance the benefit of going to a nursing home versus the risk.”
Patients with dementia or Alzehimer’s may be unsafe going back home.
Patients with dementia or Alzehimer’s may be unsafe going back home, he said, and families may need to decide if a nursing home really is the safer place.
One of the first orders Ohio put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was to halt in-person visitation in more than 900 nursing and long-term care facilities. The state is not yet ready to lift those restrictions and resume visits in those settings, Gov. Mike DeWine said, but on June 8 will start allowing outdoor visits at assisted living facilities care centers for individuals with disabilities.
“We are not to nursing homes yet and I know that causes anguish for a lot of people who are watching this but we’re trying to do this so that we don’t increase the COVID inside the nursing homes or the assisted living or the immediate care facilities,” DeWine said during a May 28 briefing.
Decisions made harder
Figuring out what kind of care might be best for a patient has become more challenging, too.
Previously, nurses and social workers would visit clients in their homes to assess how they functioned – whether they could independently bathe, cook and grocery shop, said Theresa Foster, a nurse and licensed social worker at Western Reserve Area Office on Aging.
They relied on conversations with clients and family and also observations of the environment in the home and possible risks, said Foster, who runs the agency’s resource center.
Those assessments were used to determine whether a person could safely remain at home with community support or whether they needed facility-level care and what resources, whether subsidized or private, existed to pay for the services.
Now, those assessments are done by phone and can be done successfully, but it is more difficult, Foster said.
At UH’s hospitals, medical staff use a scoring system to determine the best place for a patient being discharged, said Dr. Sean Cannone, UH’s medical director for population health.
Patients are assessed on their ability to perform daily tasks and on their cognitive abilities.
“We’re trying as much as we can to get patients home if at all possible,” he said. The goal is to provide patients with resources so they can receive care in whichever setting they prefer.
The goal is to provide patients with resources so they can receive care in whichever setting they prefer.
“We want to respond to what people really want for their own care,” Cannone said.
The shift started before COVID-19 cases surfaced but has accelerated as more families worry about potential exposure to the virus in congregate living situations.
As technology has advanced, the capabilities of what can be done in a patient’s home has also increased. In March, UH introduced a new patient management system, Massimo SafetyNet, for remote monitoring.
When patients are released from the emergency room or from a COVID-19 floor, providers now put a bluetooth sensor on their wrist — it looks like an Apple Watch — that streams data about a patient’s vitals to a central monitoring center, said Jonathan Sague, UH’s vice president of clinical operations. That way, providers can make sure a patient is safe at home.
Douglas Beach is the chief executive officer at Western Reserve Area Office on Aging
Douglas Beach, chief executive officer at Western Reserve Area Office on Aging, has had firsthand experience weighing care decisions amid COVID-19 worries. His mother is rehabilitating in a nursing home after a six-week hospital stay related to a heart condition.
Not being able to visit her in the hospital or the facility has been hard, Beach said. He and his brother, who is a doctor, had to make all of the arrangements by phone, including figuring the best way to transport her that would have the lowest risk of exposure to the virus.
“Home and community-based services is what I do,” Beach said. Part of his mission is to advocate for the setting that allows for any person, whether they are older adults or live with a disability, to be as independent as possible .
But for his mother, a nursing facility was the right choice because she needed 24-hour care that her family could not provide at home.
Beach said nursing homes have had to deal with an unprecedented set of circumstances: a new virus, initial unknowns about transmission and populations at extremely high risk for complications.
Nursing homes will continue to play a vital role and will remain the best option for people who need more care than can be safely provided at home, Beach said.
For the more than 9,500 clients his agency serves in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties, delivering care at home, with health aides, nurses and community and family supports, has proven a low risk. As of mid-May only 35 clients had tested positive for the virus, he said. That is roughly 0.3% of clients, though not all clients are tested.
Managing COVID-19
Cuyahoga County nursing homes have been paired with one of the area’s three largest hospital systems during the pandemic, Campbell said. The hospitals help the facilities both prepare for and respond to COVID-19 cases.
“The goal is when you have one patient in a nursing home with COVID is to make sure you don’t end up with 30 patients with COVID,” Campbell said.
UH developed what is being called a playbook for local nursing homes. The playbook gives facilities a plan for how to respond if there’s a COVID-19 outbreak on-site, said Sague, who works as a firefighter and medic on the weekends.
“It can be pretty startling and pretty alarming if they’re not ready for it,” Sague said.
The playbook gives guidelines on screening, triaging, determining exposure, testing and isolating those who test positive, as well as how to get personal protective equipment, increase staffing and to eventually reopen safely, Sague said.
Once a case is identified at a facility, what is known as an intercept team is dispatched — either virtually or in person — to help a nursing home handle it, he said.
Patrick Schwartz, director of strategic communications for LeadingAge Ohio, a long-term care trade association, said access to testing and safety equipment has been a consistent problem for Ohio’s nursing homes.
But in the past month or so, the state has made “a definite shift” and started prioritizing testing at nursing homes, which is helping, he said.
Patrick Schwartz said he hoped the expanded testing would enable facilities to test their entire population— of residents and staff — so they can better limit the spread of the virus.
Throughout Ohio, populations that have received mass testing — health care workers, first responders, those incarcerated and those in nursing homes — have had higher numbers of positive cases. Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, so it is unknown if they have the virus until they are tested.
“Since this pandemic first reared its head, it was clear to long-term care providers that the front lines would be in long-term care,” Patrick Schwartz said. The populations at those congregate living facilities, many of whom are older and have multiple medical conditions, are among the most vulnerable for complications from COVID-19, he said.
In Cuyahoga County, and elsewhere, local health departments have deployed limited testing resources to nursing homes quickly in hopes of limiting spread in and between facilities and given guidance to homes about how to isolate patients and trace exposures between facilities to limit the spread of infection.
Cuyahoga County Health Commissioner Terry Allan said nursing homes try to guard against outbreaks but have varying degrees of resources. The assistance from the National Guard will allow more residents and staff at facilities in Northeast Ohio to be tested, he said.
Support for this project was provided by the Center for Community Solutions.
Questions to ask:
How can family members stay in touch with residents while visiting is restricted?
Does staff facilitate video visits? Is window visiting allowed?
How often will the facility provide updates on a resident’s condition?
How much COVID-19 testing is being done? Is the facility proactively testing patients or only those with symptoms?
Are private rooms available?
Do staffing ratios allow for residents to be taken outside?
Are residents currently restricted to rooms?
Are separate units and staffs used for COVID-19-positive patients and COVID-19-negative patients?
How does the facility work to limit COVID-19 complications?
As Warren County continues to reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic closures, the Warren County Health District wants the residents of our county to know that we are seeing a rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19 cases.
If you have attended family gatherings, church services, funerals, or live in an apartment building or other multi-family dwelling, we encourage you to monitor yourself closely for any symptoms and consult your doctor if necessary. Many times the symptoms are similar to mild seasonal allergies and may include, but are not limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, runny nose, congestion and loss of taste or smell.
As the county has continued to reopen, the Health District wants to encourage you to take precautions to protect yourself and to stay healthy, by reducing the spread of COVID-19, as you are out in the community.
If you are sick, stay home.
Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when around others, to protect others and yourself.
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
Avoid large gatherings and confined spaces, whenever possible.
Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol when out in public or you cannot wash your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after cough or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as much as possible. The Health District is continuing to work to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all Warren County residents. For the latest information and updates about the current situation visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. If you have questions or concerns call (513) 695-2475.
Symmes Township, Ohio – “In the end, it was so worth the effort,” Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) Fine Arts Director, Mona Summers. “I would do it all again in a heartbeat to be able to share the gifts and talents of our students.”
When it was clear CHCA’s 22nd Annual ArtBeat arts festival would have to be canceled, it was so disappointing according to Summers. ArtBeat is a day-long celebration of the visual and performing arts that brings the entire CHCA community together – from the youngest preschoolers through Grade 12.
Anna Treadway won 1st place for her AP Portfolio
The committee had already been working on the event for many months. To learn that all the work would be for nothing was difficult, but not as difficult as knowing the students would not be able to share their beautiful artwork and performances with the community. It was then that a plan for Virtual ArtBeat began so that at least part of ArtBeat could be shared with the community.
This is an original song entitled “My House” by Lauren M. is based on the passage Matthew 7:24-27. “I wrote this song originally in January when I was facing the fears of college and moving on in the next phase of my life. I wanted to write a song that would remind me of my foundation and that I will be okay. It’s crazy how much I need to hear these lyrics right now though. During this corona virus and the passing of one of my closest friends, God is speaking to me through my own song lyrics. He wants me to continue to build my house on the Rock.”
After working for months on all that goes into ArtBeat, which typically draws over 2,200 people, the committee had to pivot quickly in order to plan and implement a Virtual ArtBeat to draw hundreds in, well, virtually.
Summers, immediately reached out to the visual art teachers to share with them her vision of Virtual ArtBeat and they were excited and ready to do the work it would take to make this possible. Of course, the reality of the work required was much more difficult than they imagined, but they were still excited to have the opportunity to share their students’ artwork with the community.
Anna Treadway won 1st place for her AP Portfolio
Summers then reached out to the ArtBeat auditioned performers to ask them if they would like to be a part of Virtual ArtBeat, which required them to send in videos of their performances.
Layout and Design
1st Place: Catherine Frazer
2nd Place: Joey Shafer
3rd Place: Samuel Davis
Honorable Mention: Hailey Wichard
Painting
1st Place: Jacqueline Clayton
2nd Place: Marissa Mao
3rd Place: Hailey Williams
4th Place: Jake Younkin
5th Place: Aidan Hook
Honorable Mention: Jonah Bolander
Instructor’s Choice
Chloe Huang
Many of the ensemble auditions were not able to participate in light of sheltering in place at home per Governor’s orders. However, there were some duets who got very creative in order to share their videos. A few videos from auditions that parents took from the sidelines were able to be shared, as well as videos from dance competitions where dancers competed with the same pieces they performed at auditions. Summers then pulled together a schedule for the Virtual ArtBeat event and the behind-the-scenes work to put it all online commenced.
by Alexis Otto
As in the typical live and in-person ArtBeat, there are so many notable Virtual ArtBeat highlights. 1,435 pieces of artwork and 68 performance videos were included. In addition, the committee held a Juried Art Competition as part of the virtual event.
Sarah Pan’s 1st Place Drawing
Virtual ArtBeat lasted fifteen days, beginning Friday, May 1, and ending Friday, May 15. Each day at 5:30 PM, new artwork and performances were released to virtual audiences.
Curious to see what you missed? Virtual ArtBeat is still available online.
This photo by Jacqueline Clayton was a 1st Prize winner
Summers said, “The support and feedback from the community was phenomenal.” Many people commented that the webpages hosting content were visually appealing and well laid out so that it was easy to follow and find things. “But mostly, it was the wonderful feedback received from students, parents, and faculty who said they were thrilled Virtual ArtBeat was being shared since ArtBeat had to be canceled.”
Students and parents alike were very thankful to be able to participate in Virtual ArtBeat and that it was accessible to the entire community.
COLUMBUS Ohio -The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) announced yesterday that driver examination station skills testing will resume June 12 at the following locations, by appointment only:
8210 County Rd. 140, Suite C, Findlay, Ohio 45840 (Hancock County)
990 Morse Road, Suite B, Columbus, Ohio 43229 (Franklin County)
873 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055 (Licking County)
502 McCarty Lane, Suite 3, Jackson, Ohio 45640 (Jackson County)
10940 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45231 (Hamilton County)
Additional driver examination stations will resume skills testing starting on June 16 by appointment. The BMV is making efforts to contact those individuals who may have had their test canceled during COVID19 to reschedule on a priority basis. Once those tests are rescheduled, then appointments will be available for all other customers. Customers should call to ensure their location is open. Appointments will be able to be made online.
Class D skills testing will use a modified process that allows the driver examiner to score the prospective licensee from outside the car in accordance with the Ohio Department of Health and Center for Disease Control recommended health and safety guidelines.
The BMV will reach out to individuals who had a test cancelled due to COVID-19 to provide an opportunity for priority-based scheduling.
As a reminder
If a customer’s license, identification card, vehicle registration, or temporary permit expired on or after the state of emergency’s effective date of March 9, 2020, its expiration date has been automatically extended and will remain valid until 90 days after the state of emergency ends, or December 1, 2020, whichever date comes first.
Many of the services Ohioans rely on at the BMV can be accomplished online at www.OPlates.com. If customers need to purchase a temporary tag for their car, renew their vehicle registration, order new license plates, check their driving record, and many other services, they can complete the transaction online.
Since reopening on May 26, 2020 BMV transactions are up approximately 8% from 2019 during that same time frame. The BMV encourages customers who absolutely must visit a deputy registrar to take advantage of “Get In Line, Online,” which allows customers to virtually get in line before arriving.
Mihaela Manova is now a Loveland High School Graduate. She joined Loveland Magazine as an Intern in September of 2019 and was soon promoted to be the Editor for our “Covering Climate Now” series. She will study journalism at Miami University.
Here is Loveland High School’s 2020 Graduation (my graduation) in photos and videos – you can experience the whole 11-hour day!
By: Mihaela Manova
Loveland, Ohio – In the year where all schools have closed and many are awaiting a graduation of some sort, Loveland High School has managed to show to its seniors and their respective family members that Covid-19 will not dictate the end to their academic careers. Here is a piece through the point of view of a 2020 graduate.
Where to begin… this year has proved to us, the student body, our limits and our achievements, the mostly good and the mostly bad. Say you were an athlete competing in the beginning of the year or a straight-A student who dedicated their time to their studies, or you could be even both for all we know. You possess qualities that make you stand out and even though you may not know most of the time, many people see that about you. To the class of 2020, don’t fret, the best years are coming ahead.
Before graduation in May of 2020
In the last few days before graduation, I would assume we had the same thoughts crossing our minds. What would these days have looked like if we were in school? Would I be as happy as I am now? Will I be satisfied when I receive my diploma, even when it is placed into my hands gently and in a sterile manner?
Many, (from what I have observed), do not see our current situation as a stop to their plans. While following protocol, these people have decided to make the best of it, even with the distance that comes between them.
With gratitude towards the health care workers that are around us (and around the world), who are parents, aunts, uncles, and more, it was a sight to see the families coming together in our school, to see a personal milestone be achieved.
(Click on any photo to see it enlarged)
Ella Kiley
Carson Sarver
Mitchell McManis
Allison Rountree
(left to right) Joey Jeffcott, Jack Jeffcott, and Brady Jeffcott
Erin Dickman
So how did our day proceed? Here is a type of journal entry that may suffice, with, of course, 2020 vision.
For starters – graduating Senior students were categorized into time slots for each family to have a personal experience (at a distance) with usually the time being around 30 min – 1 hour depending on the traffic.
The high school itself showcased a labyrinth for the cars that would soon lineup, tape making borders for each car to snake around until it found itself ready to go into the school. While waiting you can see a range of cars decorated with festive balloons and markings often saying “Go Tigers!” or “Graduate 2020” in colors of orange and black. Others would have cars following one another with family members anxiously awaiting their turn.
While the wait was long, it gave time to observe the atmosphere as it is a (hopefully) once in a lifetime spectacle of following strict protocol. You could look out the car window and see the people who were soon going to come in, properly dressed in their orange and black togas with facial masks to match.
When it was our turn to park in the parking lot, kind men with masks spoke of the directions in parking, getting out, and entry to the building. The entrance to our high school included a blown up tiger head that engulfed every individual that walked in, making our last walk inside be memorable.
Staff by the entrance were ready to take pictures of the graduate and their family, and once walking into the building you would hear “Hello!” followed by an excited “Congratulations!”
There was no lack of positivity or hints of melancholy anywhere. Once inside the building, each family would wait for another to finish going through all of the stations. The first station was a table with a quick spell-check of the name of the graduate alongside an award for academic excellence this semester if you were excellent.
More greetings ensued as we moved on to the final moment that we were waiting for. With smiles underneath the masks but highlights in all the eyes, it was finally time to hand it off to a family member and walk solitary to the podium leading to the auditorium.
In front of you, principal Peggy Johnson would lead you to the hidden entrance of the podium while behind you, was your family recording every step of the way. In the auditorium, massive posters and lighting donned a dramatic feel to this ceremony, as there were two types of cameras ready for you. One was the video recording of you walking across, and another was for a professional photo when you “turn” the tassel.
Rosa Karl
William Gibbs-Heard
Claire Wallace (2020)
Claire Wallace (young)
Samantha James and Emily Zirkelbach
(left to right) Calloway Hefner, Ben Russ, Lexi Duff, Greyson Hensley, Christian Morckel
Natalie Drury and Kirstin Thomas
With the moment upon you, you hear your full name announced, so you walk across to the far end of the stage, noticing that every seat wore printed pictures of the staff and teachers. This gesture brings a smile to your face when you know how much these people wanted to be there and how long it took for each portrait to get designed, printed, and taped on the seats.
After stepping off and a rush of pride and adrenaline is expected as you have finally done it! You would now put on your “2020 Mask” again and wait for further instruction and clearing of the cafeteria. With your family, you would go to the cafeteria hearing more “Congratulations” and the dreadful returning of the toga (which you secretly want to keep).
Returning the toga, you immediately get a packet of your diploma and a booklet of all the student names and achievements.
Lastly, you break through the doors of the cafeteria, with more felicitations from a staff member that follows the question, “So what are you doing after this?” as you wait. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be answered for now or for later but I was happy knowing that good things await…
A note:
Speaking for the class of 2020 and myself we would like to say big, big thank you’s to our school, the organizers, the staff, the people outside helping, and the teachers and volunteers. Without your efforts we would have never had a great graduation like this, so we thank you for adapting to these measures and staying positive for our day!
And we also cannot forget to thank the people working on the front lines and in hospitals at the moment, your efforts will not be forgotten in battling this epidemic. BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!
Sincerely,
Mihaela
Watch these videos of the 2020 Commencement Ceremony that were produced by Loveland High School ( (videography and digital production); Shawn Miller (lighting and sound production); Lane Aylor, Hayden Floyd, David Knapp and John Lape (technical assistants)
As we entered the School
Welcome by Olivia VonDeylen
Carson Sarver Class President
Senior Choir members perform Irish Blessing
Sophia Dillhoff Salutatorian
Ashley George Valedictory Address
National Anthem Tribute by Chamber Orchestra and Show Choirs
Principal Peggy Johnson
Superintendent Dr. Amy Crouse and School Board President Kathy Lorenz
Each student receiving their diploma
Below is the entire video of the LHS Graduation that was produced by the school.
To see each graduate cross the stage drag the slider to the 28:52 minute mark.
The entire video of the Commencement exercise
Also read these stories about the Class with 2020 Vision…
Ohioans who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can now use their Ohio Direction cards to purchase food online through Walmart and Amazon, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has announced.
“We know many Ohioans are struggling and that food purchasing has been a challenge for many, especially older Ohioans and those with limited access to transportation,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “We hope online purchasing gives individuals more options and makes it easier for them to both stay safe and eat nutritiously.”
Previously, Ohio SNAP recipients could order groceries online at Giant Eagle, Walmart and some Kroger stores, but they had to pay inside the stores or at curbside. After receiving federal approval, ODJFS successfully tested online purchasing with Walmart and Amazon. While Ohio SNAP recipients can order food online from a variety of retailers, only Walmart and Amazon allow online purchasing with EBT cards. Individuals may choose to have groceries delivered, but federal rules still prohibit using SNAP benefits to pay for any delivery charges.
Qualify for SNAP
Individuals may qualify for SNAP if their household’s gross monthly income is at or under 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Ohioans can apply at benefits.ohio.gov. Benefits can be used to buy most food products, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, vitamins and/or medicines, and hot food
made to be eaten immediately, including prepared food from grocery stores and restaurants.
ODJFS has provided additional assistance to SNAP recipients during the pandemic:
Began issuing Pandemic EBT benefits for children who normally receive free or reduced price meals at school.
Issued supplemental SNAP payments to qualifying households in March, April and May and is preparing to issue them again in June.
Waived administrative verifications normally required at food banks, to streamline the process and limit person-to-person contact.
Extended SNAP recertification periods for March, April, May and June by six months.
Those assessments were used to determine whether a person could safely remain at home with community support or whether they needed facility-level care and what resources, whether subsidized or private, existed to pay for the services. 
![[BREAKING] Warren County Health Director sees rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19 cases](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/covid-ohio-feature-.png)
When it was clear CHCA’s 22nd Annual ArtBeat arts festival would have to be canceled, it was so disappointing according to Summers. ArtBeat is a day-long celebration of the visual and performing arts that brings the entire CHCA community together – from the youngest preschoolers through Grade 12.
“We know many Ohioans are struggling and that food purchasing has been a challenge for many, especially older Ohioans and those with limited access to transportation,” said ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall. “We hope online purchasing gives individuals more options and makes it easier for them to both stay safe and eat nutritiously.”
can be used to buy most food products, with the exception of alcoholic beverages, vitamins and/or medicines, and hot food